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Senators Mike Folmer (R-48) and Randy Vulakovich (R-38) have introduced legislation that aims to modernize the Civil Service Commission.

Senate Bill 1037 would streamline the Commission by shifting several responsibilities to the Commonwealth’s Office of Administration, including merit-based hiring, civil service applications, certifications, examinations and promotions. The changes will not impact veterans’ preference.

“For over 75 years, the Civil Service Commission has had two prime responsibilities: merit-based hiring and appeals from employment decisions,” said Senator Folmer. “Our proposed legislation would allow the Commission to focus on appeals while consolidating the Commonwealth’s merit-based hiring into the Office of Administration. These changes will better serve the needs

Senator Scott Wagner is running for Governor, but why is he running away from events sponsored by conservative groups? Could it have anything to do with his solid support for legislation supporting transgendered people using bathrooms, showers and other facilities meant for the opposite sex?

Are you concerned with protecting your wife, daughter, and other members of your family?

Click on the link below and read up on this important issue. Be sure to listen to the two videos.

Senate Ready to Review Governor’s FY 2018-19 Budget Request Mensch Bill to Promote Employment of People with Disabilities Approved by Senate Bill Increasing Government Transparency Sent to Governor Other Bills Sen to Governor for Enactment Senate Approves Measure Addressing Sex Offender Court Ruling Other Bills Approved by the Senate and Sent to House of Representatives Committee Roundup Up Next Senate Ready to Review Governor’s FY 2018-19 Budget Request

Legislative Update Friday, February 09, 2018 The latest news from the State Capitol Come to My Opioid Forums and Learn How to Prevent Addiction

I will be holding two community meetings to help families better deal with the problems of opioid addiction. The meetings will help families identify the signs of addiction and focus on helping families going through recovery and the programs and support available for them.

Legislation, which Rep. Bill Kortz (D-Allegheny) and I introduced, has unanimously passed the House and Senate. House Bill 359 amends title 34 relating to license revocations resulting from game violations. The bill now heads to the governor for his signature.

Presently, a hunter who harvests a deer or turkey of the wrong sex or who accidentally takes two animals can turn them into a wildlife conservation officer, receive a new tag, pay

Senator Yudichak and Senator Baker to Host Roundtable on Lead Exposure and Lead Testing

Senator John Yudichak and Senator Lisa Baker will host a roundtable on lead exposure and lead testing. The event will be held on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at 11 a.m. at King’s College.

The roundtable will feature comments and discussion on lead exposure and testing from individuals with experience in regional youth and health services.

Participants will include members of the Senate Lead Task Force, Luzerne County Head Start, Maternal and Family Health Services, Early Intervention Services for Luzerne and Wyoming Counties, and St. Luke’s Hospital – Miners Campus.

Weekly Roundup Friday, February 09, 2018 The latest news from the State Capitol State Budget Process Begins with Governor’s Proposal

Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday unveiled his fourth budget proposal, which calls for $33 billion in spending, about $1 billion more than the current year. Some of my colleagues and I are concerned about the overall price tag, but are pleased it does not contain any broad-based sales or income tax increases.

The governor is asking for additional investments in education, workforce development, and career and technical education, and to continue addressing the opioid epidemic.

Hearings on the budget proposal are slated to begin the week of Feb. 20. The governor’s budget proposal is comparable to an opening offer in a months-long negotiation

“I grew up in northeastern Pennsylvania, so I’m no stranger to the burden that coal waste piles place on communities and first responders,” Barletta said after introducing the legislation. “TheCoal Refuse Remediation Act will give the private sector skin in the remediation and reclamation game so that state and local governments can focus their limited resources on other important tasks. Coal refuse